Terrible mpg's = new interest in old ideas.

[Christ]

I know where Petoria is.... (Family Guy)..

If I can get a front from someone, I may buy the Escort and drive it till I can flip it... not a big priority, but it could prove fiscally advantageous.

[mhmitszach]

My parents bought a 2002 ZX2. 105k miles. Sunroof, premium sound. 2300 dollars.

I won't ever get good gas mileage driving in bloomington. Traffic is a joke. I can get around faster on my bike. It's such a pain driving across town in order to leave the area.

[Christ]

Ty - Got any information on common rust areas on the Escorts?

I've got a shot at one for $200 that has rust on the frame sections on the rear passenger side... wondering if it's going to be serious, or if it's easily fixable with some sheet metal and welding. If you know anything about the issue, that is.

[Tygen1]

ChrisT, I am not familiar with rust areas on the Escorts, in fact I've never seen a ZX2 with any rust...Cept the fools who rust their hoods

Zach, you'll just have to find a route and time that will allow you to get outa town with minimum impact to the mpg. That is what I've had to do with my commute to minimize th losses. If I could get perfect commutes every day, then I could go 50+ mpg
Your parents got a good deal! There were probably impressed with your success....

[mhmitszach]

I managed to get around 34 mpg while not even trying to get good gas mileage on this trip back. As far as actually driving around Bloomington, the town is just too small to avoid the high traffic routes. It's a joke driving in that town.

Also, my timing belt broke again. Luckily I was right in town and was able to get it parked. Hopefully getting it fixed today, otherwise I'm bumming rides 3 hours south. I'm really hoping I don't find out some other serious issue is present in my car.

Update. Timing belt tensioner and pulley went bad.

[mhmitszach]

Actually, I need a new engine...

Timing belt wedged between pulleys so when I tried to start the car the one time, it had too much pressure on the valve shaft (? i dunno exact part name) and as a result bent the valves. So there is no pressure.

It'd be way more money to replace those parts. So I'm looking at around 600-700 parts and labor for a new engine.

[Tygen1]

You can not bend the valves on the Zetec when the timing belt breaks. The belt wedging in the "thingy". I'm not sure what this is about. Sounds like the mechanic is trying to rip you off! In fact, I would never have work done with out at least three quotes from different places...
If you have some time, before you need the car again. I know a guy in Washington Ill. who may be able to shoot down there and give you an educated opinion, he's an expert on ZX2's. Anyhow, sounds like you may have an issue with one of the idler pulleys failing. Maybe the previous mechanic did not change all the pulley, which is needed for the Zetec. If this is the case, then you can get a timing kit for about 125-150 dollars and do it yourself. Can you take a picture? That would help a ton.

Don't let yourself get ripped off!

[mhmitszach]

Well my girlfriends brother actually works at the place. So its not a mechanic ripping me off.

As far as I know, the belt wedged behind a pulley. Thus causing it to put pressure on the connected shaft(?) and bend the valves.

The previous mechanic did not change the pulleys, which is the problem. However, this mechanic did change them. He bought the entire kit.

And when he tried starting the car, it doesn't fire.

Could you PM your phone number? I'm going to have to have my dad run out there and look at it and maybe you could possibly help diagnose this problem.

[Tygen1]

It's more likely that the reason it won't start is that the timing belt was installed incorectly, which is not unusual for this car.

PM sent.

[Christ]

Twin cam timing belts (That's what stuck, the cam shaft) are a PITA to put on and time correctly at times. A single tooth off can stop a car from starting, and they often float 1/2 tooth under normal use... so that gives you an idea of the tolerance for error.

According to what I remember, your engine is a non-interference type, which means that unless something inside the engine let loose, the pistons CAN'T make contact w/ the valves. The only other way you could have bent a valve is to bend the stem, which is also highly unlikely, but could happen at high RPM when valve float becomes an issue. I'm sure you weren't cruising at 10k RPM, though.